Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam

Ethiopian Airlines' focus remains on Asia and Africa. It currently serves Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai with all three destinations now operational with daily non-stop flights. Hong Kong is currently served with three weekly non-stop flights and one weekly via Bangkok, according to Operations Advisory Group (OAG) data. Elsewhere in Asia, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways both serve Bangkok and Mumbai. Only Ethiopian Airlines currently serves Delhi, Kuala Lumpur and Seoul.

Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said that the airline believes most of its future growth opportunities are in Asia, Africa and Latin America. He pointed out that while "Europe is a strong market for us," most of the growth over the last decade has been in Asia, and China is now Ethiopian Airlines' single largest market.

Ethiopian Airlines' leading African network and increased presence in Asia, along with Addis Ababa's location, gives the airline a strong competitive position in pursuing transit passengers heading between Asia and Africa. "This trend line is the fastest growing trend line today in the world," Mr. Gebremariam said, referring to the Asia-Africa market.

Ethiopian Airlines has also been a standout performer in the African airline industry from a financial perspective. The airline has reported profits every year this decade while most other large African carriers have been in the red.

Ethiopian Airlines' profits nearly doubled in FY2013 to $113 million as revenues increased 14 percent to $2.124 billion. Ethiopian Airlines has not yet reported financial figures for FY2014 but the airline was likely again in the black - albeit at a reduced level due to the Ebola outbreak impacting demand to and from West Africa.

But the primary focus for Ethiopian Airlines has and continues to be on expanding in Asia and within Africa.

Ethiopian Airlines also began codesharing with All Nippon Airways in October 2014, a sensible move ahead of its launch of services in the Japanese market. Ethiopian Airlines has been building up partnerships with Star members since joining the alliance at the end of 2011. In Asia, Ethiopian Airlines also codeshares with Asiana Airlines and Air India.